Robust acquires dark magic The acquisition of dark magic by Robust, a powerful and influential entity, has raised significant concerns among the magical community. Dark magic, known for its destructive and corruptive nature, poses a grave threat to the balance and harmony of the supernatural realm. Robust, previously revered for its staunch dedication to protecting the sanctity of magic, shocked many when news broke of its involvement in acquiring and harnessing dark magic. This unexpected shift in ideology has ignited fear and mistrust among magical beings who once relied on Robust for guidance and protection. Dark magic, also referred to as black magic, is characterized by its ability to tap into forbidden and dangerous energies. It enables the user to manipulate and control forces that are beyond the realm of conventional magic.
In this gorgeous debut graphic novel, fairy tales are the only way one boy can communicate with his Vietnamese immigrant parents. But how will he find the words to tell them that he’s gay? A powerful read about family, identity and the enduring magic of stories.
“One of the most astounding graphic novels of the year" –Entertainment Weekly
Tien and his mother may come from different cultures—she’s an immigrant from Vietnam still struggling with English; he’s been raised in America—but through the fairy tales he checks out from the local library, those differences are erased.
But as much as Tien’s mother’s English continues to improve as he reads her tales of love, loss, and travel across distant shores, there’s one conversation that still eludes him—how to come out to her and his father. Is there even a way to explain what he’s going through in Vietnamese? And without a way to reveal his hidden self, how will his parents ever accept him?
This beautifully illustrated graphic novel speaks to the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together even when we don’t know the words.
“A lyrical masterpiece.” –BuzzFeed
Ask Trung Le Nguyen, who seamlessly blends family history, fairy tales, and a 1998 coming-out tale in this remarkable intergenerational graphic novel. The magic happens here on every page , the perfection personified by debut author artist Nguyen s autobiographical homage to the infinite power of storytelling.
It enables the user to manipulate and control forces that are beyond the realm of conventional magic. The allure and power associated with dark magic can be seductive, tempting even the most formidable and righteous individuals to stray from the path of righteousness. The acquisition of dark magic by Robust signifies a troubling shift in the balance of power.
Kate’s Review: “The Magic Fish”
Where Did I Get This Book: The library!
Book Description: Tiến loves his family and his friends…but Tiến has a secret he’s been keeping from them, and it might change everything. An amazing YA graphic novel that deals with the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together.
Real life isn’t a fairytale. But Tiến still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents from the books he borrows from the local library. It’s hard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tiến, he doesn’t even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he’s going through?
Is there a way to tell them he’s gay?
A beautifully illustrated story by Trung Le Nguyen that follows a young boy as he tries to navigate life through fairytales, an instant classic that shows us how we are all connected. The Magic Fish tackles tough subjects in a way that accessible with readers of all ages, and teaches us that no matter what—we can all have our own happy endings.
Review: I will be the first to admit that outside of my re-read of “The Sandman”, I’ve been slacking on the graphic novels as of late. But after dropping the ball on that, I have promised myself that I will try to be better, and make an effort to get some more in the review rotation. And let me tell you, I have a good one to start with, by a local author no less! I hadn’t heard of “The Magic Fish” by Trung Le Nguyen until I saw it pop up on my Goodreads feed, and once I felt comfortable getting physical library books again after our Fall/early Winter surge I requested it. I went in with little knowledge and expectations, and was thoroughly impressed with what I found.
“The Magic Fish” has a number of themes that swirl in its pages, and all of them connect through the importance and power of stories, namely fairy tales. The plot follows Tiến, a middle school boy who is the son of Vietnamese immigrants who left Viet Nam as refugees, and who don’t speak much English. To practice mother Hiền will have Tiến check out fairy tales from the library and they will read them together. We follow Tiến as he starts to accept his sexuality, and as he wonders and worries about what his parents will think when he tells them that he’s gay. This takes place in the 1990s, and while Tiền’s friends seem to be accepting, people at school, and society at large, is not as much, which makes him feel Othered. Meanwhile, Hiền left her home in the aftermath of the Viet Nam War, and hasn’t returned to see her family in many years. She and her husband are doing their best to raise their son in Minnesota, but being away from the home he had to leave is hard, and when she does go back it’s due to a very significant loss. I liked seeing both the themes of identity and immigration being addressed in the ways that they were, through some subtle and bittersweet longings, anxiety, and hope.
And then, the fairy tales. Both Hiền and Tiền bond through and are drawn to fairy tales, which intersperse within the narrative. The first two are various takes on the “Cinderella” story, one being the German “Allerleirauh”, and the other being the Vietnamese “Tấm Cám”. Story one is shared between Hiền and Tiền at their home, while the second is one that Hiền is revisiting while she is back in Vietnam. Both interpretations and presentations play into what we’re seeing in the moment, be it Tiền hiding his true self from his mother, or Hiền being reminded that sometimes fairy tales don’t have the happily ever afters that everyone seeks. But it’s the re-telling of “The Little Mermaid” that I liked the best, another shared between Hiền and Tiền, and subverted in a way that shows that we tell our own stories, and that we get to choose how they end. It’s all so seamless and lovely, and I greatly enjoyed it.
And the artwork. THE ARTWORK. Different stories have different designs, and again, they tie into what is going on in the moment on the surface and beneath it. For example, the three fairy tales all had different aesthetic designs for the art styles (my personal favorite was “Tấm Cám”, influenced by a 1950s Viet Nam French Colonial style), while moments in reality may have different colors depending on time and place. It always works, and all of it is beautiful.
“The Magic Fish” is a charming story that reads and feels like a modern fairy tale. I highly recommend that you read it if you love graphic novels.
Rating 8: A lovely coming of age story with magical moments and gorgeous artwork, “The Magic Fish” is a joyful and emotional tale of family and the power of stories.
Reader’s Advisory:
“The Magic Fish” is included on the Goodreads lists “Queer Graphic Novels”, and “Comic Book Club Recommendations”.
Find “The Magic Fish” at your library using WorldCat, or a local independent bookstore using IndieBound!
A beautifully illustrated story by Trung Le Nguyen that follows a young boy as he tries to navigate life through fairytales, an instant classic that shows us how we are all connected. The Magic Fish tackles tough subjects in a way that accessible with readers of all ages, and teaches us that no matter what—we can all have our own happy endings.
The utilization of dark magic threatens to disrupt the delicate equilibrium that has been established within the supernatural realm. Not only does this endanger the safety of magical beings, but it also threatens to plunge the world into chaos as dark magic possesses the potential to bring about irreversible destruction. Moreover, the acquisition of dark magic by an entity as influential as Robust raises questions about its motives and intentions. Was this decision driven by a desire for increased power and control? Or does Robust believe that the ends justify the means, mistakenly believing that it can utilize dark magic for the greater good? Regardless of the motivations behind Robust's acquisition, it is clear that the consequences of wielding dark magic are dire. It corrupts the user's soul, transforming them into a vessel of malevolence and cruelty. The once noble and just intentions of the user become twisted, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. In conclusion, the acquisition of dark magic by Robust marks a significant turning point in the supernatural world. The introduction of such a powerful and destructive force threatens to disrupt the balance and harmony that has long been upheld. Only time will tell how this acquisition will unfold and what repercussions it will have on both the magical community and the world at large..
Reviews for "Robust's Quest for Power: Acquiring Dark Magic"
1. Emily - 1/5 stars - I found "Robust acquires dark magic" to be incredibly disappointing. The plot was confusing and poorly developed, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The writing style was also lacking, with clumsy and awkward prose that made it difficult to become immersed in the story. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and regretful that I had spent my time reading this book.
2. John - 2/5 stars - "Robust acquires dark magic" had an interesting concept, but it failed to deliver. The pacing was off, with slow and dragging sections in between brief moments of action. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unresolved, leaving many loose ends that were never properly addressed. Overall, the book had potential but fell short in execution.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really hoping to enjoy "Robust acquires dark magic," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The world-building was inconsistent and lacked depth, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The characters were also underdeveloped and lacked complexity, making it hard to connect with their motivations. Additionally, the plot felt contrived and predictable, with few surprises or twists. While the concept had promise, the execution left much to be desired.